Bordeaux´s Gillot focussed on league over Europe

Bordeaux coach Francis Gillot has downplayed the significance of his side’s Europa League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Speaking ahead of Bordeaux’s Group F game against the Israeli club, Gillot said their Ligue 1 fixture against Sochaux on Sunday must take precedence.

“I am certainly thinking about the game against Maccabi, but I am also thinking about the match on Sunday, and I think the team that plays tomorrow will display this,” he said.

“One has to make choices when it comes to the starting 11, of course we always want to win, but there are priorities, and currently the priority is the league, especially when you consider our current position.

“I have the responsibility to think about the league because we are playing again straight away.”

Sitting 17th in the French top flight, Bordeaux are yet to have success in the Europa League this tournament, having lost their first game to Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0.

Gillot said beating Maccabi will be a difficult task.

“I’ve seen the matches they (Maccabi Tel-Aviv) played against Basel where they were 3-0 down at home and came back to draw 3-3,” he said.

“They are a technical team and have a good mentality, because coming back in such a fashion clearly shows they have great mental strength.

“Basel were able to beat Chelsea a few weeks ago, I think that gives us a good idea of the quality of team we are going to face.”

Bordeaux goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso said his side would need to make the most of their home fixtures in the European second-tier competition.

“Having played many group stages in Europe, we know that the number of points we need are around 10 points to qualify for the next phase of the tournament,” he said.

“This means we need to win our home games and draw at least one away from home.

“There is no pressure for the moment, we just need to be aware that the important thing for us is to get the three points.”